Was it illegal for Himanta and Sadhguru to enter Kaziranga at night? Strictly speaking, no | Explained News,The Indian Express

It depends on the chief wildlife warden, who frames the necessary rules under the Wildlife Act. But there are good reasons why night safaris are generally not allowed in India.

Is the chief minister right?

He is right, and wrong.

In India, entry into forests is governed by two laws — The Indian Forest Act, 1927, and The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The first applies to all reserve forests and bars trespassing. Everyone other than people who live in villages inside reserve forests, needs permission from the divisional forest officer concerned for entering these forests for any purpose.

The Wildlife Protection Act empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden of a state to frame laws for tourists entering Protected Areas — sanctuaries and national parks. Under the same Act, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has the powers to set rules for tiger reserves. Kaziranga National Park is also a tiger reserve.

While a chief wildlife warden must act “with the previous approval of the State Government” concerned, no rule once set by the warden can be violated by anyone, including superior officers or executives, such as the chief minister.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/was-it-illegal-for-himanta-and-sadhguru-to-enter-kaziranga-at-night-8176559/

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